Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Jewish Math

Now that I am in some classes at Wheelock I am beginning to have a ton of "aha" moments.  These are mainly occurring when I learn about a concept that I missed during the years at school where due to my CAPD I wasn't hearing or getting concepts.  One of the areas with quite a few gaps in math.  So this semester has been really great since I am, in some respects, finally learning and understanding important concepts which I will have to teach soon!

But, then there is one type of math I have mastered. Jewish math. 

Two nights a year during Passover, there is a special academic component incorporated into the seders.  It's Jewish math.  At the start of the seder one piece of matzah is broken in half and the larger half is then hidden away as the afikomen. 
Yes, the larger half.  Last week we were learning about fractions and how to teach fractions to students in my math class.  I thought about this whole Jewish math concept because my professor said it can be hardest for kids to understand that fractions are always made up of equal parts that then make up one whole.

Well, I then realized if you are a little Jewish kid, twice a year you see a piece of matzah broken in half and then look on as the table determines which piece of matzah is the larger half...

I think I just figured out why I never really got fractions...


19 thoughts on the matter:

fromsophiesview said... {Reply}

Amazing how things just start clicking into place.

Jim said... {Reply}

Hi! I'm new to your blog and thanks for dropping by mine.
Wish I had known more about fractions too when I really needed it as a kid!
I am a retire 'special education' teacher and the past 12 years of my career was with kids with an assortment of Learning Disabilities. It is so great that you are doing what you are doing....it will be so beneficial for the kids to 'see' and learn from someone who has had to 'struggle' a bit herself.
I wish you all luck in your career, but I get the feeling that from your exuberance that you won't need any.
Jim

fromsophiesview said... {Reply}

Just wanted to add that I love your Bumblebees Don't Know post!

the Lola Letters said... {Reply}

Ooo loved this. Love that pic too! Thanks for linking up at Communal Global today :)

tinajo said... {Reply}

Interesting and I love that pic! :-)

Unknown said... {Reply}

Math isn't so hard when you apply it to every day life.

Thank you for visiting my blog, and best to you with your schooling.

Nancy said... {Reply}

And they said you would never use math in your everday life! Hah! You just disproved all of my junior high peers wrong!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I truly appreciate it! :)

Ashley Sisk said... {Reply}

Actually that's pretty funny - and in my world, I'm pretty sure I've said, you take the larger half a lot!

Jennifer Bowen said... {Reply}

I love Math! Some people get concepts the first time, but some do not. You have to be really patient to teach this subject. I'm sure you'll be a great teacher. You seem kind and understanding.

Love the photo!

Lisa said... {Reply}

Great Post!

I home school: One day while teaching fractions my daughter just couldn't get it. I decided to bake and use fractions with our baking...Still she was lost. I put the cookie batter out on a giant pizza pan and baked it. I then let her cut the cookie in half and then fourths and then eights and so and so and so. All the kids and I had so much fun that day my daughter learned it her cookie fractions and then ate like pigs. :)

Keetha Broyles said... {Reply}

We just had a seder at our church and learned about the larger half of the matzah hidden in the afikomen!!!

Thanks for showing this today!

Tiffany said... {Reply}

HaHa...great point, love the post! Thanks for the visit.

Tiffany

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said... {Reply}

Love it! lol What a beautiful photograph too! :)

Buckeroomama said... {Reply}

My dad is a former math professor and math was my least favorite subject.

Love the photograph!

Kim said... {Reply}

Funny! I've never thought about the concept of larger or smaller halves and the irony before...i guess we all do that! :)

Moments and Impressions said... {Reply}

Oh no... larger and smaller halves - that isn't very helpful.

Anonymous said... {Reply}

Thanks for commenting on my blog! I noticed that you're gluten-free (I'm almost GF, but not completely):).

Anita Johnson said... {Reply}

Very interesting. I always thought I was good at math, until the other day I was trying to figure out something and decided just to guess-timate the size...the frctions were too much for my brain in the morning!

Halie said... {Reply}

Interesting post. It's so nice to learn from other bloggers about cool stuff.

Have a great weekend.